Norfolk & Dedham vs. Preferred Mutual: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for auto insurance, Norfolk & Dedham offers significantly less expensive prices than Preferred Mutual
• Norfolk & Dedham has cheaper premiums for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years
• Preferred Mutual offers more affordable average prices for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit

Norfolk & Dedham vs. Preferred Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're considering switching your auto insurance. With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering huge discounts, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Norfolk & Dedham or Preferred Mutual, but between the two, which carrier has cheaper rates for car insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, Preferred Mutual has average rates that are about 70% per month more expensive than those from Norfolk & Dedham.

That being said, that doesn't mean Norfolk & Dedham will necessarily be less expensive than Preferred Mutual for each driver. Insurance companies use a ton of complex algorithms to calculate premiums, so depending on how good your credit score is or where you live (among numerous other factors), you could see wildly different prices from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average rates from both Norfolk & Dedham and Preferred Mutual by lots of different rate factors, so read on to find out which carrier is the best for you.

Norfolk & Dedham or Preferred Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Norfolk & Dedham and Preferred Mutual only compete against each other in Massachusetts, where Preferred Mutual offers the cheaper average premiums. For Massachusetts residents, Preferred Mutual offers auto insurance for $158 a month on average. Norfolk & Dedham's average prices come out to be more expensive, at $165 monthly.

But there's more to insurance than just your home state. As we mentioned above, there's a lot of things that go into how car insurance carriers determine your rates. Read on to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers typically pay a lot more for auto insurance than any group on the road. That's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

Even so, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their car insurance. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of more than $500 less a month by choosing Norfolk & Dedham over Preferred Mutual.

But with both companies, you'll see your premiums lower significantly by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average rates for Norfolk & Dedham policyholders decrease over $200 and Preferred Mutual's premiums reduce around $500 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll generally enjoy the lowest insurance prices you'll ever find. You've been on the road for years, and all that experience pays off when it comes to your monthly premiums for auto insurance.

But who has the best prices for retired drivers between Norfolk & Dedham and Preferred Mutual? Norfolk & Dedham gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older $264 more affordable than the national average for Preferred Mutual.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that insurance premiums are normally less expensive for married couples than they are for single drivers? That's usually because married policyholders tend to own and insure multiple cars, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, Norfolk & Dedham is the clear winner for those who are single, with prices about $427 per month cheaper than Preferred Mutual, on average. The advantage for married drivers with Norfolk & Dedham is also obvious, where drivers save nearly 70% a month.

Norfolk & Dedham vs. Preferred Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know women typically pay less for car insurance than men? This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get pulled over for speeding or get into an accident, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher rates.

With Norfolk & Dedham, everyone ends up paying the same monthly premiums regardless of gender, while with Preferred Mutual, the difference is closer to $16 per month.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, Norfolk & Dedham offers the most affordable average prices for both men and women, with average rates $385 less for men and $369 cheaper for women.

Norfolk & Dedham or Preferred Mutual: Compare State Minimum vs. Full Coverage Rates

*State minimum value indicates liability-only policies at each state's minimum bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) limits

**Full coverage indicates state minimum BI/PD limits with collision and comprehensive coverages added to policy.

It's no secret that auto insurance can be pretty complicated. There are so many different terms and limits that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

However, the most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which covers the other party's injuries and property damage if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which usually refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to what you get with a liability policy).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, Norfolk & Dedham generally offers significantly more affordable prices of $98 compared to Preferred Mutual's $234. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Norfolk & Dedham again has the edge, with policies around $500 a month cheaper than Preferred Mutual, on average.

Is Norfolk & Dedham or Preferred Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

Accidents and tickets will most likely raise your rates, but is Norfolk & Dedham or Preferred Mutual less expensive for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Norfolk & Dedham policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $19 per month if they get a ticket, while Preferred Mutual normally raises rates about $3 a month, on average.

Even so, Norfolk & Dedham has more affordable prices for drivers in both categories, offering premiums that are $273 and $257 less expensive, respectively, compared to Preferred Mutual.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Norfolk & Dedham drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their prices rise by over 35%, while those who have insurance through Preferred Mutual will see around a 20% increase.

Overall, Norfolk & Dedham offers the cheapest rates for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly premiums averaging $185 compared to Preferred Mutual's $486.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge, you can expect some pretty significant increases in your monthly car insurance bill -- typically a lot more than a collision or speeding ticket. For example, Preferred Mutual increases average rates by over $500 per month -- that's over a 55% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Norfolk & Dedham tends to be the much cheaper option with average premiums of $224 per month compared to $902 from Preferred Mutual.

How does Credit Score Impact Norfolk & Dedham and Preferred Mutual Rates?

Did you know that many auto insurance carriers take into account your credit score when calculating prices? Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it might come into play for quite a few policyholders.

Insurance carriers argue that those with poor credit scores are less likely to pay their bills on time each month, which increases the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with good credit.

Looking at Norfolk & Dedham and Preferred Mutual specifically, which one has the most affordable rates for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Normally, if you have excellent credit, you can expect to be rewarded. Improving your "good" credit score to an "excellent" one will usually save Preferred Mutual customers about $70. Because Norfolk & Dedham, doesn't have data available for credit scores, they most likely don't use credit to calculate your premiums.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have bad credit, it can cost you with Preferred Mutual. As you can see, Preferred Mutual customers with poor credit scores pay around $200 a month more than those with fair scores (and even more compared to drivers with good or excellent scores). On the other hand, Norfolk & Dedham doesn't have data available for credit scores, which means drivers with bad credit may find better rates with Norfolk & Dedham over Preferred Mutual.

Is Norfolk & Dedham or Preferred Mutual Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a pretty big impact on your monthly car insurance cost. Normally, the more miles you put on your vehicle, the more you can expect to pay for auto insurance.

Norfolk & Dedham tends to be the more affordable option for both drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicles annually, as well as those who average twice that figure. Norfolk & Dedham average prices for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in just under $400 less expensive than Preferred Mutual. Those who drive 12,000 miles yearly can expect to pay more than $350 less with Norfolk & Dedham over Preferred Mutual.

Norfolk & Dedham vs. Preferred Mutual: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you call home can have a considerable impact on your monthly car insurance bill. Generally, those who live in urban areas will pay more than policyholders in rural areas due to the number of cars that are on the roads in those areas.

Norfolk & Dedham boasts the lowest average prices for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Drivers in rural ZIP codes see the cheapest rates from both companies, but Norfolk & Dedham comes out on top with average premiums about $87 a month. Norfolk & Dedham also has cheaper average rates for policyholders in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a 76% and 60% per month respective difference when compared to Preferred Mutual drivers in similar areas.

Norfolk & Dedham vs. Preferred Mutual Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new auto insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible. That's where insurance discounts comes into play.

The difficult part is finding all of the discounts you're eligible for, since it can feel sometimes like every company has different discounts and each one is advertised differently.

In the section below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Norfolk & Dedham and Preferred Mutual offer their customers so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Looking at the total number of discounts, Preferred Mutual comes out ahead with 14 discounts to Norfolk & Dedham's 11.

Both carriers offer quite a few of the same discounts -- like anti-theft discounts, mature driver discounts, and paid in full discounts -- but Preferred Mutual also offers ABS discounts, annual mileage discounts, defensive driver discounts, and more that Norfolk & Dedham does not.

On the flip side, Norfolk & Dedham has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advance quote discounts, distant student discounts, discounts for getting driver training, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Norfolk & Dedham or Preferred Mutual Best for You?

You've seen the effect certain factors have on your auto insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, when it comes down to it, which insurance carrier is the right company for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Norfolk & Dedham might be best for you if....

• You're single and purchasing insurance by yourself.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" car insurance.
• You're buying auto insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

Preferred Mutual might be best for you if...

• Your credit is less-than-stellar.
• Your credit score is high.
• You want to save extra money with discounts.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare Norfolk & Dedham and Preferred Mutual and that you can now make a more informed decision when it comes to your insurance.

But, at the end of the day, there's only one way to know for sure that you're getting the best possible deal on car insurance -- comparing quotes from a handful of carriers, not just Norfolk & Dedham and Preferred Mutual. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best auto insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Norfolk & Dedham vs. Preferred Mutual FAQs

Is Norfolk & Dedham or Preferred Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Norfolk & Dedham is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $165 a month compared to $542 for Preferred Mutual. But Norfolk & Dedham won't necessarily be the most affordable company for everyone, since there are many different variables (things like gender, age, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Norfolk & Dedham or Preferred Mutual?

Unfortunately, the real answer is "it depends.". One carrier is not necessarily "better" for every driver -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique insurance profile. For example, Norfolk & Dedham offers less expensive prices for drivers with a recent DUI, while Preferred Mutual is cheaper for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do Norfolk & Dedham and Preferred Mutual offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies take a look at several different factors when determining the premiums they charge policyholders. Variables such as your driving record, age, gender, where you park your vehicle, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Norfolk & Dedham and Preferred Mutual calculate prices using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which company is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from several different carriers.

How do I know if Norfolk & Dedham or Preferred Mutual is right for me?

The only way to find the insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from several companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Norfolk & Dedham or Preferred Mutual at all!

Methodology

All of the data referenced in this article has been gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed more than 2.5 million rows of carrier-reported data to calculate the average rates referenced above. All rates are based on an insurance profile of a single-vehicle policy for a driver that owns a 2016 Honda Accord. For more information on how we calculate rates, please reference our data methodology.